Cocktail shaker

ABSTRACT

Devices and methods for filtering mixed drinks. In one embodiment, drink ingredients are placed in a mixing container and a cap is placed on top of the mixing container. The cap comprises a closed end connected with an annular open end by a surface, and has a perimeter located at the junction between the annulus and the surface. The annular open end contains perforations formed by holes or fingers that fit inside the rim of the mixing container, with the rim of the mixing container in continuous contact with the perimeter. The drink is poured and filtered by slightly lifting and tilting the cap to allow gravity to pull the liquid through the perforations, thereby filtering the drink and eliminating the need for a separate filter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to cocktail shakers used in the home, restaurantsor bars for making mixed drinks, alcoholic or otherwise. Cocktailshakers have been used to prepare mixed drinks for many years. A commonfeature of existing devices is the use of a screen or other filteringmeans to filter out large pieces of ice or other ingredients beforepouring the drink into a glass for consumption. The filter may be partof the cocktail shaker or may be a separate device that is placed on topof the mixing container, and extends across the opening of the mixingcontainer. In this way, the drink is filtered when the drink is pouredfrom the mixing container.

In public places, like bars or restaurants, bartenders typically use aseparate filter. The use of a separate screening device requires timeand effort to both use and to clean. A separate filter requires that thebartender pick up the filter and place the filter on the mixingcontainer to make the drink. The separate filter must be separatelycleaned after the drink is made. Debris often gets caught in the screenfilter, making clean-up time consuming and messy. All of these motionsand steps take time that is often in short supply, especially in acrowded bar or restaurant.

Sometimes, professional bartenders dispense with the filter entirely,and simply crack the cap away from the mixing container, attempting tocreate a small space between the mixing container and cap to preventdebris from pouring into the drinking glass. The drink is then pouredfrom between the crack. But, this technique often results in largechucks of ice or debris ending up in the drink because it is difficultto precisely hold the cap and mixing container at the proper distance.Thus, the end result may be a watery drink because too much ice ended upin the drink.

Other cocktail shakers come with a filter that is attached to either themixing container or the cap. These filters may be permanently attachedor may be removable for cleaning. Although these devices exist, they arenot typically used in bars and restaurants because of the need torapidly clean and re-use the cocktail shaker. The attached filters makecleaning the device much more time-consuming and difficult, and cocktailshakers with attached filters are typically used in the home.

One common feature of existing devices, whether used in bars,restaurants or the home, is that the filter device covers the entiremouth of the mixing container. For example, Hawthorne strainers arefrequently used by professional bartenders and consist of a flat metalsurface that covers the rim of the mixing container, with a continuouscoil of wire at the perimeter. Other strainers that cover the rim of themixing container are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,913,165, issued to Linzet al. on Jul. 5, 2005 and U.S. D498,966 issued to Fiedeler et al. onNov. 30, 2004. Other devices use a filter to entirely cover a pouringspout, for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,046 issued to Bennett on Nov. 26,1985. In all cases, the filter device is essentially horizontal, andcovers the rim or other opening through which liquid is dispensed.

It is often important that mixed drinks be made quickly, particularly inbars and restaurants. If numerous customers are waiting for drinks,bartenders may simply refuse to make certain types of drinks because ofthe time involved.

The present invention dispenses with the need for a filter to cover theentire rim or opening of the mixing container. Likewise, it eliminatesthe need to separately clean the filter.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention allows for rapidly making a mixed drink, withoutthe use of a separate filter, and without the need for a filter thatcovers the opening of the mixing container.

In one embodiment, the invention is a cap that snugly fits with a mixingcontainer. The mixing container may be a standard sized glass or anycontainer that is capable of holding the ingredients of a mixed drink,and thus the cap may be of any size needed to snugly connect with themixing container.

The cap has an open end connected by a surface with a closed end. Theopen end comprises an annulus connected with a perimeter which is inturn connected with a surface. The annulus has a smaller circumferencethan the perimeter of the cap, so that the annulus fits inside a mixingcontainer, while the cap perimeter rests on the rim of the mixingcontainer. The annulus contains a plurality of perforations sized toprevent large chips of ice or other debris from passing through theperforations. The size of the perforations may be varied depending onthe size of particles to be filtered out. In addition, the perforationsmay be holes or may be made from a plurality of fingers, projections orflanges.

In one embodiment, a gasket sits directly above the annulus, at theperimeter that connects the annulus with the surface. The gasketsurrounds the cap and may prevent leaks. Other embodiments contain twoor more gaskets for ornamentation and/or to prevent leaks.

In another embodiment, the mixing container is double-walled.

To pour the drink, the operator simply cracks open the cap, tilting andlifting it slightly out of the mixing container so that part of theperforated annular opening is exposed. The bartender tilts the mixingcontainer and cap sideways, and the drink pours out through theperforations.

In another embodiment of the invention the perforated annulus is locatedon the rim of the mixing container, and the cap is solid.

The elimination of a separate filter saves time in preparing a drink andin the subsequent clean-up. The elimination of an integral filter thatcovers the rim of a mixing container also makes clean-up far moreefficient.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention, in use.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the same embodiment of the invention, showingthe next step in use.

FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the same embodiment of the invention, showingthe next step in use.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the same embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Standard cocktail shakers are frequently used with a separate filteringdevice. Typically, drink ingredients are put into a mixing container, atop is placed over the container and the bartender shakes the containerto mix the drink (“bartender” will be used for ease of understanding andis defined as any person preparing a drink, whether in a bar,restaurant, or the home). After shaking and mixing, the bartender mayremove the cap and place a separate filter over the rim of the mixingcontainer, pouring the mixed drink through the filter to remove largebits of ice or other large drink ingredients.

The use of a separate filter requires extra motions and steps that taketime that is often in short supply, especially in a crowded bar orrestaurant.

The present invention eliminates the need to separately handle a filter,either for preparing a drink or during clean-up. In one embodiment, acap 10 is made of any solid, relatively rigid material. Non-limitingexamples of such a material are plastic, metal or wood. Cap 10 may bemade of any combination of these materials, or may be made entirely ofone type of solid, relatively rigid material. Cap 10 has a closed end 12connected with an open end 14 by surface 16.

Open end 14 comprises annulus 18 with a plurality of perforations 20.Perforations 20 may be any size desired to filter or remove particles,including ice chips, above a pre-determined size. Typical filterscurrently available generally filter out particles that are larger thanapproximately ⅜″, and one embodiment of the invention will containperforations sized to filter out particles larger than ⅜″.

Perforations 20 may be a plurality of holes located in annulus 18. Inthis embodiment, annulus 18 has a solid or continuous bottom edge 26, asshown in FIG. 6. In yet another embodiment, a second gasket 28 isconnected with continuous bottom edge 26, as shown in FIG. 5.

In another embodiment, perforations 20 are formed by fingers 21, asshown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, annulus 18 does not have a solid orcontinuous bottom edge. Instead, annulus 18 is comprised of a pluralityof fingers or projections 21 with spaces between the fingers, wherethese spaces are perforations 20.

Annulus 18 is connected with perimeter 22 that is connected with surface16, as shown in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, perimeter 22 will have agasket 24 surrounding the outside of cap 10. Perimeter 22, with orwithout gasket 24, is sized to fit snugly with rim 30 of mixingcontainer 32, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. When cap is 10 placed on mixingcontainer 32, gasket 24 will be in continuous contact with rim 30 ofmixing container 32, thereby preventing leaks and spills, as shown inFIG. 1. Gasket 24 may be made of any flexible, food-grade material, andis preferably made from silicone.

In one embodiment surface 16 is dome shaped, with surface 16 comprisedof curved walls connecting closed end 12 with open end 14. Howeversurface 16 may be any shape that can accommodate perimeter 22.

Perimeter 22 is located at the bottom of surface 16 and is connectedwith surface 16. When cap 10 is placed on mixing container 32, perimeter22 will rest snugly against the rim 30 of mixing container 32. Annulus18 is angled slightly inward so that the circumference of annulus 18 issmaller than the circumference of perimeter 22. In this way, when cap 10is resting on rim 30 of mixing container 32, annulus 18 will be insidethe walls of mixing container 32 and will not rest snugly against thewalls of mixing container 32, as shown in FIG. 1.

In all embodiments, mixing container 32 may be single-walled, as shownin FIG. 1, or it may be double-walled, as shown in FIG. 8. The second ordouble wall 34 helps to insulate the mixing container.

In all embodiments, there may be a single gasket 24, two gaskets 24 and28, or a plurality of gaskets, as shown in FIG. 7. The plurality ofgaskets may be to prevent leak or for ornamentation.

To make a drink, the drink ingredients are placed in mixing container32. Cap 10 is put on top of mixing container 32 and perimeter 22 orgasket 24 comes into continuous contact with rim 30 of mixing container32. The device is shaken to mix the drink. To filter and pour the mixeddrink, cap 10 is slightly lifted out of mixing container 32. Cap 10 isnot entirely removed from mixing container 32; it is partially liftedand slightly tilted, as shown in FIG. 2. Because annulus 18 has asmaller circumference than perimeter 22, the lifting and tilting actionwill expose part of annulus 18 above rim 30 of mixing container 32. Asthe annulus is exposed, perforations 20 in annulus 18 are similarlyexposed. The bartender tilts the mixing container and cap sufficientlyfar enough sideways, so that gravity will pull liquid out throughperforations 20 in annulus 18. In the preferred method, the bartenderkeeps part of annulus 18 from which the liquid will flow in contact withmixing container 32. Thus, the liquid can only leave the mixingcontainer by going through perforations 20 in annulus 18. This is thesame, whether the perforations are formed by holes or by fingers.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, annulus 118is connected with mixing container 132. Annulus 118 containsperforations 120, where perforations 120 may be formed by holes, or maybe formed by ridges 123.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, annulus 118 is connected with rim 130of mixing container 132. Perforations 120 are formed by ridges 123 whichextend inward from annulus 118. FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view ofannulus 118, showing ridges 123 extending inward, and formingperforations 120.

In these embodiments, cap 110 is of any shape and material that fitssnugly inside mixing container 132. Cap 110 comprises closed end 112connected with open end 114 by surface 116. FIGS. 10 and 11 show cap 110with perimeter 122 that has a circumference that is greater than thecircumference of open end 114.

The drink ingredients are placed in mixing container 132, cap 110 is putin place so that perimeter 122 is in continuous contact with rim 130,and the device is shaken to mix the drink. After mixing, the bartenderlifts and tilts cap 110, again keeping the lower edge of cap 110 incontact with mixing container 132, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. Themixing container 132 and cap 110 are tilted and gravity will act on theliquid inside mixing container 132, pulling it down and filtering theliquid through perforations 120.

Various changes and modification to the invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is asstated in the claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are intended to be embraced herein.

1. A device for filtering drinks comprising a cap made from a solid,relatively rigid material wherein the cap comprises a closed end and anopen end, wherein the open end comprises an annulus with perforations,wherein the perforations are sized to prevent particles larger than apre-determined size from passing through, and wherein the annulus isconnected with the closed end by a surface, and wherein the surfacecomprises a rigid, solid body with a perimeter that is connected withthe annulus, and wherein the perimeter is sized to connect snugly with amixing container, and wherein the annulus has a circumference that issmaller than the perimeter.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein theperforations are formed by holes located in the annulus and wherein theannulus has a continuous bottom edge.
 3. The device of claim 1 whereinthe perforations comprises a plurality of fingers in the annulus,wherein the fingers project away from the surface, and wherein theannulus lacks a continuous bottom edge.
 4. The device of claim 1 whereinthe perforations are no larger than ⅜ inch.
 5. The device of claim 1wherein a gasket is located at the perimeter and wherein the mixingcontainer is in continuous contact with the gasket when the annulus ofthe cap is inside the mixing container.
 6. The device of claim 2 whereina second gasket is located on the continuous bottom edge of the annulus.7. The device of claim 6 wherein a plurality of gaskets are located onthe surface.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the mixing container isdouble walled.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the mixing container issingle walled.
 10. A device for filtering drinks comprising a mixingcontainer made of a solid, relatively rigid material connected with arim, wherein the mixing container is sized to receive drink ingredients,wherein the rim comprises an annulus with perforations, and wherein theperforations are sized to prevent particles larger than a pre-determinedsize from passing through, and wherein the annulus is sized to connectsnugly with a cap with an open end with a circumference.
 11. The deviceof claim 10 wherein the perforations are formed by a plurality of holesin the annulus.
 12. The device of claim 10 wherein the perforations areformed by a plurality of ridges in the annulus.
 13. The device of claim10 wherein the perforations are no larger than ⅜/inch
 14. The device ofclaim 10 wherein the cap has a perimeter with a circumference and theperimeter circumference is greater than the circumference of the openend.
 15. A method of preparing a mixed drink comprising combining drinkingredients in a mixing container with a rim, obtaining a cap made froma solid, relatively rigid material wherein the cap comprises a closedend and an open end, wherein the open end comprises an annulus withperforations, wherein the perforations are sized to prevent particleslarger than a pre-determined size from passing through, and wherein theannulus is connected with the closed end by a surface, and wherein thesurface comprises a rigid, solid body with a perimeter that is connectedwith the annulus, and wherein the perimeter is sized to connect snuglywith a mixing container, and wherein the annulus has a circumferencethat is smaller than the perimeter, placing the cap on the mixingcontainer so that the perimeter of the cap connects snugly with rim ofthe mixing container, shaking the mixing container connected with thecap to sufficiently mix the drink ingredients, tilting and slightlylifting the cap from the rim of the mixing container to expose some ofthe perforations in the annulus while keeping the cap in contact withthe mixing container, tilting the mixing container and cap together topour the mixed drink ingredients into a receptacle.